Follow along as I share how each trip comes together—from the planning and the points I redeem to the dollars saved because of them. I also offer candid hotel and flight reviews, plus my favorite things to do, see, and eat wherever I go.

Curious how it all adds up? Click here to see my total savings since starting my points‑and‑miles journey in mid‑2018.

United States

Arizona

California

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

New York

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Washington

Wisconsin

International

China

Israel

Mexico

Redemptions since mid-2018

Trip Location	Trip Date	Retail Cost	Our Cost	Total Saved
Newport Beach, California	March 2026	$3,525	$1,215	$2,310
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico	February 2026	$6,138	$307	$5,831
Oak Brook, Illinois	December 2025	$200	$0	$200
New York, New York	September 2025	$2,059	$865	$1,194
Nashville, Tennessee	June 2025	$1,580	$58	$1,522
Oak Brook, Illinois	June 2025	$200	$0	$200
Seattle, Washington	February 2025	$2,081	$840	$1,241
Oak Brook, Illinois	December 2024	$185	$0	$185
Boston, Massachusetts	October 2024	$2,527	$17	$2,510
Portland, Maine	July 2024	$5,136	$2,010	$3,126
Oak Brook, Illinois	June 2024	$200	$0	$200
Oak Brook, Illinois	December 2023	$250	$0	$250
Indianapolis, Indiana	December 2023	$325	$113	$212
Chicago, Illinois	November 2023	$300	$0	$300
Charleston, South Carolina	October 2023	$1,546	$114	$1,432
Laguna Beach, California	December 2022	$4,223	$546	$3,677
Scottsdale, Arizona	November 2022	$6,463	$1,142	$5,321
College Park, Maryland	November 2022	$1,322	$840	$482
Coronado, California	April 2022	$2,340	$0	$2,340
Tucson, Arizona	November 2019	$1,987	$847	$1,140
Chicago, Illinois	May 2019	$395	$0	$395
Newport Beach, California	January 2019	$1,674	$1,424	$250
Austin, Texas	September 2018	$1,944	$813	$1,131
Oak Brook, Illinois	July 2018	$337	$87	$250
Totals		$47,037	$11,238	$35,799